About Us

At almost 100 years old, we are one of the oldest continuously operating seasonal synagogues in Massachusetts. We are a conservative, egalitarian congregation and use the Siddur Sim Shalom. We welcome families of all denominations from reform to orthodox and are proud that we have congregants from over 40 communities. We are a living example of L’dor v’dor whereby generations of the same families have worshipped under our roof. Our summer season is ten weeks long beginning the weekend before July 4th and concluding Labor Day weekend.

History

The history of religious services in Nantasket during the summer months dates back to the year 1915. At that time, the late Myer Cohen, Mr. Max Axelrod, and Mr. Henry J. Morrison got together a group of summer residents to conduct the town’s first High Holiday services on Kenberma Street. In 1916 and 1917, Mr. Max Axelrod's Samoset Avenue home was for daily services and was the also the meeting place for Shabbat services. In 1918, services were conducted daily in the home of Mr. Myer Cohen on Samoset Avenue and the holiday services that year were held in Greystone Inn, on Kenberma. This was the the start of what is now Temple Israel of Nantasket, the town’s summer shul. Temple Israel elected their first president, Joseph Rudnick, in 1920 and ever since has been serving the needs of the summer Jewish community.

Click here and view our past president plaques and the names of all of our past presidents.

Fun Fact: Temple Israel of Nantasket used to reside on Wilson Street, that is until a committed group of Hull residents changed the name of the street to Hadassah Way.